email used: gdudik@me.com

https://www.visualgps.net/#nmeatime2-content

License: 2057:04AAA6CC-DB8694EF-1D7EBF08

NMEA Time Panel is a piece of software that will keep your computer's internal clock in lock-step with GPS time. This is useful when you want to keep your computer's clock in sync with chip readers that are out somewhere on a course--for instance when you're using "Sync Source: None" in FinishLynx with readers that are sending out data on a delay.

From the webpage above, select "download" and agree to the license agreement. Run the installer. At the end of the installation, check the box to launch the program. Once you launch the program, click Help-->About and then click "Set License" to enter the license key and email shown above.

# To sync your computer with GPS time:
**THE FOLLOWING STEPS SHOULD BE PERFORMED BEFORE FINISHLYNX IS STARTED WHEN SETTING UP FOR A MEET**

A note about FinishLynx and the PC Clock--
FinishLynx does not use your PC clock to time races. The cameras have internal chronometers with better precision and less drift. However, during the camera boot process, the camera takes the time of day that the PC shows and uses it to set its internal chronometer. Therefore, the computer's time must be synced to GPS before FinishLynx is started.

1. Plug the GPS receiver dongle into the computer's USB port. I've found it helpful to use a 3' USB extension cord to get the receiver away from the computer. If you're in a trailer, you might need to use an even longer one to get the receiver out from under the metal roof of the trailer (hang it out a window).

2. In NMEA Time Panel, select the Settings menu, and then choose GPS-->Setup Communications. Select the correct COM Port--it will say "USB Serial Device" and probably have a high COM port number. Choose 9600 baud. You'll know you picked the right COM port when the status box in NMEA Time Panel changes from "No GPS" to "Searching."

3. On the "GPS Status" tab, you can see how many different satellites the receiver can see. Each vertical bar on this screen will show a different satellite and the relative signal strength. Move the receiver around to find the place where it can see as many satellites as possible, then leave it alone. If you come back in a few minutes and move to the "Status" tab, it should say "locked." Once you have a lock, you're free to open FinishLynx and go about your meet.